Neyyah Channels Myst and Riven Vibes—But Can It Capture the Magic for a New Generation?

Neyyah Wants to Be the Next Myst-But Does the Genre Need a Revival?

I’ll be honest-the second I saw “pre-rendered visuals” and “point-and-click adventure” in this press release for Neyyah, a wave of nostalgia hit me like a ton of (digital) bricks. If you cut your teeth on puzzle classics like Myst or Riven, you know exactly the kind of vibe MicroProse and Defy Reality are shooting for. But let’s face it: The landscape has changed a lot since the ’90s heyday of these games. Does that classic approach actually have something new to say in 2025, or are we just dusting off old photo albums here?

• Gorgeous pre-rendered visuals and classic slide-show navigation are back-with some modern tweaks.
• Non-linear, mystery-driven narrative that promises replayability and genuine puzzles.
• FMV (Full Motion Video) cut-scenes and a unique soundtrack composed partly by a 14-year-old—seriously.
• The question: Is nostalgia enough to make this more than a curiosity for adventure fans?

Why Neyyah Caught My Eye—And Raised My Eyebrows

I’ve beaten more dusty adventure CD-ROMs than I care to admit, so when a game like Neyyah wears its influences so openly, it’s impossible not to pay attention. But while developers have been throwing “love letter to Myst” around for decades, actually recapturing the sense of wonder and oppressive weirdness of Cyan’s classics? That’s a much taller order. The screens look promising—those painterly pre-rendered backgrounds are pure eye-candy, full of lonely architecture and cryptic machinery. But I’m skeptical any modern game can nail that elusive “what is this place?” feeling Myst fans chase.

On the other hand, I love that Neyyah doesn’t just coast on visuals. The promise of non-linear narrative and environmental puzzles that demand observation and logic (not pixel-hunting or random guessing) is exactly the right approach. If the team pulls off meaningful, interconnected puzzle design—where solutions feel earned, not forced—that’s the secret sauce every Myst-like needs.

FMV Cut-Scenes and a Soundtrack With Real Personality

Speaking of flavor, two things in this announcement stand out: FMV cut-scenes and a multi-composer soundtrack. FMV is a move straight out of the ’90s playbook, but it’s notoriously tricky to get right. Cheesy acting or awkward green-screening can kill immersion faster than any logic puzzle. That said, the cast brings authentic local flavor from Perth’s theater scene, and the behind-the-scenes story—especially the deeply collaborative, even family-centric production—gives me hope for some real heart rather than soulless checkbox-ticking.

But let’s talk music. Having 55 tracks composed by a developer’s stepchild (starting at age 10!) is either a fun quirky detail or a risky creative gamble. Kids bring out-of-the-box creativity, but will these tracks support the game’s mood without sounding amateurish? The proof will be in the aural pudding, but at least Neyyah is taking risks instead of playing it safe.

Is There Room for Old-School Point-and-Clicks Today?

Here’s the real question. For all its authentic trappings and clear affection for the genre, does a Myst-style point-and-click adventure speak to 2025’s gaming audience—or just a hard core of us old-timers? These games live and die by atmosphere, challenge, and pacing. Neyyah’s multiple travel speeds and updated quality-of-life fixes (praise be—no more crawling through endless transition screens!) show the team gets how modern gamers’ expectations have changed. Yet, if the puzzles are too obtuse, or if the nostalgia feels forced, newcomers won’t stick around for long.

But I’ll admit, seeing MicroProse publishing is a cool throwback. Their legacy is mostly in simulation, not puzzlers, but it shows the renewed willingness to take a chance on passion projects instead of safe bets. Maybe the audience for this sort of atmospheric brainteaser is niche, but when has that ever stopped the classics?

Final Thoughts: Hopeful, But With Eyes Wide Open

I genuinely want Neyyah to succeed—not just as a nostalgia trip, but as a signpost that thoughtful, open-ended adventure games have a place alongside the endless churn of live-services and roguelikes. If they pull off the right mix of mystery, smart puzzles, and stylish presentation, Neyyah could be more than a tribute act. But as always, the devil is in the details. I’ll be watching review keys (which are open now) closely to see whether Neyyah’s world is as intriguing to explore as it looks from the outside.

TL;DR

Neyyah wants to revive the Myst formula with modern polish, lush visuals, and ambitious music. If it gets its puzzles and pacing right, this could be a treat for fans old and new—but only if nostalgia doesn’t outweigh substance.